How To Protect Democracy in Your Community

A practical guide to election protection before, during, and after Election Day

For 250 years, Americans have relied on elections to choose their leaders, resolve disagreements peacefully, and hold those in power accountable. But in recent years, election officials, civic organizations, community leaders, and voters have faced increasing intimidation, misinformation, harassment, and other efforts to undermine confidence in election results—not just the results, but the entire election process and those who administer it.

Democracy only works when ordinary citizens participate in and trust the election process and are willing to defend it. This guide provides practical actions your organization can take before, during, and after an election to support voters, strengthen public confidence, and prepare for challenges if they arise. The same organizing skills we use to build power around agriculture, energy, health care, local government, and economic justice also strengthen the democratic institutions that make self-government possible.

Six Ways to Protect Democracy in Your Community

1. Build relationships before you need them

Election protection begins long before Election Day and largely depends on building relationships and trust with those involved in running elections, which can only be done over time—not during a crisis. 

Build relationships with:

• County clerks
• Election administrators
• County commissioners
• Secretaries of State
• District attorneys
• Law enforcement leaders
• Tribal election officials, where applicable
• Community organizations and coalition partners

Share your values with those you are building relationships with.

You can build trust by sharing the values that motivate you. Here are the values WORC espouses:

• Democracy is worth protecting.
• Every eligible voter should be able to cast a ballot.
• Election officials deserve our respect and support.
• Election outcomes should be decided by voters—not intimidation, disinformation, or political pressure.
• Rural people play an essential role in protecting free, fair, secure, and trusted elections.

Questions to ask:

• How are elections administered in our county?
• What challenges are election officials facing?
• How can community organizations be helpful?
• Are volunteer opportunities available?
• What concerns do you have as Election Day approaches?

Take action

Schedule introductory meetings months before Election Day. Become a trusted community partner before problems arise.

2. Educate your community

Confusion creates opportunities for misinformation. Trusted local voices remain the strongest source of accurate election information and countering misinformation.

Help voters understand:

• Voter registration
• Registration deadlines
• Early voting
• Vote-by-mail procedures
• Ballot drop boxes
• Polling locations
• Election certification
• Where to find official election information
• Local ballot measures and candidates

Take action

Use newsletters, social media, local newspapers, community meetings, and one-on-one conversations to share accurate election information.

3. Participate in the Election Process

Strong elections depend on community participation.

Encourage volunteers to become:

• Poll workers
• Election judges
• Nonpartisan election observers
• Poll watchers (where permitted by state law)
• Voter assistance volunteers

Take action

Recruit members to serve, and connect them with official county training opportunities.

4. Prepare before challenges arise

Preparation prevents confusion. Organizations respond more effectively when everyone understands their role before voting begins.

Discuss in advance

• Who coordinates your response?
• Who speaks publicly?
• Who contacts members?
• What legal resources are available?
• Who are our coalition partners?
• How will we respond to misinformation?

Take action

Develop a simple Election Response Plan before voting begins.

5. Have a plan to vote

The most effective way to strengthen democracy is to vote—and help others vote. Here’s a checklist you can use to help voters make a plan to vote:

☐ I know whether I will vote in person, vote early, or vote by mail.

☐ If voting by mail, I know when and how to request my ballot if required.

☐ I know when my ballot should arrive.

☐ I know where my polling place or ballot drop box is located.

☐ I know my options for returning my ballot.

☐ I know how to track my ballot if my state offers ballot tracking.

☐ I have my county election office’s phone number.

☐ I have reminded at least five friends, neighbors, or family members to make their own voting plan.

☐ I rely on my County Clerk and Secretary of State—not rumors or social media—for election information.

Take Action

Ask one simple question: “What’s your plan to vote?”

Helping someone make a voting plan is one of the easiest and most effective ways to increase participation.

6. Know Your Election System

Before building your organization’s election protection plan, understand how elections work where you live.

Discuss these questions

• Who administers elections in our county and state?
• Who certifies election results, and when does certification occur?
• What public bodies oversee election administration?
• What relationships do we already have with election officials?
• Which relationships still need to be built?
• How could election certification be challenged under state law?

If a challenge arose, who would:

• Coordinate our response?
• Communicate publicly?
• Mobilize members?
• Provide legal support?